Favourite Christmas Songs & Films

I’m getting increasingly more Christmassy as the days go on. Everyone seems to be compiling lists of their favourite Christmas things at the moment. I thought I’d contribute with my favourite Christmas songs and films.

So many of these have distinct memories attached to them..

I’ve tried to put these in some kind of order, but it was really difficult.. some of them are on par with each other. I tried my best though!

Favourite Christmas Songs:

‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ – Mariah Carey

I’ve put this one at the top of my favourite Christmas songs list because it’s just one of those that I love to belt out at the top of my lungs. I’m sure I’m not the only one!

‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ – Wizzard

Another song that I’d sing loud and obnoxiously.. It also sparked many debates as a kid over whether I’d actually want it to be Christmas every day. I never understood why the adults would ever say no! Now I know that the reality of that would actually be really horrible.

‘Wonderful Christmas Time’ – Paul McCartney

This one really reminds me of being a kid. It reminds me of hanging out with my family, opening presents and trying my best to get attention. I always wanted to be the centre of attention as a kid.. and now I want to be invisible. It’s funny how much things change.

‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ – Slade

Another song that reminds me of my family, more specifically my immediate family. It reminds me of happier times.. with my mum, dad and sister. It naturally had to make it on my list because of the memories it brings up.

‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ – Shakin’ Stevens

This has to be a Christmas favourite because it’s one that makes me feel really happy for some reason. I get this bubbly feeling inside and it makes me feel super excited.. I have no clue why either! It must be related to a memory I guess.

‘Step Into Christmas’ – Elton John

Another song from my childhood that just makes me think of family. I’m noticing a theme! It’s weird, because when I set out making this list I thought I had specific memories attached to the songs.. but the memories are hazy and tend to be more general.

‘Driving Home for Christmas’ – Chris Rea

This song always seems to come on when you’re in the car. It’s like the radio knows!

‘Fairytale of New York’ – The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

Everyone must have this as one of their favourite Christmas songs. It’s the only song I remember proudly singing, “Happy Christmas your arse” and not getting in trouble for it.

‘Stop The Cavalry’ – Jona Lewie

I have a distinct memory of this song. I remember this playing when I was a kid, while my grandad was asleep on the sofa.. snoring with his mouth open. I, being mischievous, decided to cover him in sticky Christmas bows. It became a game of how many I could stick to him before he woke up.. and this song will forever remind me of that moment. Now when I think about what this song is actually about it’s kind of strange why I like it so much.

‘Last Christmas’ – Wham!

This is just a typical cheesy Christmas classic that everyone must have on their list. The only memories I have about this song are of me changing the lyrics and thinking it was hilarious.. “Last Christmas, I gave you my fart.. and the very next day.. it blew away” and now that I think about those lyrics I made as a kid, they don’t even make sense.

‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ – Band Aid

It’s really weird how this is a Christmas favourite, especially when I think about the lyrics and what the song represents. It must be said that I only like the 1984 original, though, all the cover versions just don’t compare.

‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ – John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Another strange favourite Christmas song.. I don’t have any memories attached to this one, but I wanted to include it.

‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ – Jackson 5

How could I possibly leave this one out?

‘Jingle Bell Rock’ – Bobby Helms

The film ‘Mean Girls’ introduced me to this song and I really like it now.

‘Christmas Wrapping’ – The Waitresses

Another random Christmas favourite. I think a lot of these are just favourites because they were always on!

So, that’s my list of favourite Christmas songs. I’m sad that there’s not really any more recent favourites on my list.. I guess nothing compares to what you hear as a child?

Favourite Christmas Films:

‘The Muppets Christmas Carol’

This is my absolute favourite Christmas film. I don’t know what that says about me really! I just have very fond memories of my sister and I when I think about this film.. and now this film just makes me extremely happy. I won’t embarrass her and talk about those memories, but she knows what they are! I still know most of the lines from this film and all the musical numbers.

‘Home alone’

Another film that just has lots of memories attached to it. It’s still a film that I’d watch now if I saw it come on the telly. As are all of these.. let’s be honest.

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’

I love a good musical and this is just one of those really good ones. I love how you can watch this one on Halloween or Christmas and either is acceptable.

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

Such a funny film.. and was a no brainer to include on my favourite Christmas films list.

‘The Santa Clause’

A nice Christmassy film.

There were films I could have added like “Die Hard” and “Gremlins” as lots of people consider those Christmas films. I don’t really think of them as Christmas films.. both of them are very good though!